8 Nuts You Should Never Be Eating

Nuts are often praised as nutritional powerhouses, but not all of them deserve a spot in your pantry.

Some varieties can trigger allergies, harbor dangerous toxins, or undergo processing that strips away their health benefits. Before you grab that next handful, check out these eight nuts that might be doing more harm than good.

8. Raw Cashews

Raw Cashews
© Beyond the Nut

Raw cashews contain urushiol, the same nasty compound found in poison ivy! These curved culprits require proper roasting to neutralize their natural toxins.

Most “raw” cashews in stores are actually steam-processed, but truly raw ones from certain sources can cause severe skin rashes and internal irritation. Stick with properly processed versions to avoid an unpleasant surprise.

7. Moldy Peanuts

Moldy Peanuts
© Farm Progress

Forgotten about those peanuts in your cupboard? Peanuts easily develop aflatoxins – cancer-causing compounds produced by certain molds that thrive in warm, humid storage conditions. How scary is this? Just a tiny amount of these invisible toxins can damage your liver over time.

Always check peanuts for discoloration, strange smells, or shriveled appearance before munching away.

6. Bitter Almonds

Bitter Almonds
© Healthline

Though they look innocent enough, bitter almonds pack a potentially deadly punch! Unlike their sweet cousins at the grocery store, these troublemakers contain cyanide compounds that can be lethal in small doses.

Where did these dangerous nuts come from? They’re actually the wild ancestors of our cultivated almonds. Thankfully, they’re rarely sold in the US, but remain vigilant when traveling abroad.

5. Heavily Salted Mixed Nuts

Heavily Salted Mixed Nuts
© Sam’s Club

Salt monsters lurk in those colorful cans! Many commercial mixed nuts contain shocking amounts of sodium – sometimes up to 200mg per ounce.

Your blood pressure might skyrocket faster than a superhero with these salty snacks. Though nuts themselves offer heart-healthy fats, the added salt cancels out those benefits. Grab unsalted varieties instead and add your own seasonings for a healthier crunch.

4. Chocolate-Covered Macadamias

Chocolate-Covered Macadamias
© NutStop

Chocolate-dipped anything sounds heavenly, but these calorie bombs pack a waistline-expanding punch! A single serving can contain more calories than a fast-food burger.

Why so dangerous? Macadamias already rank as the highest-calorie nut, and that chocolate coating adds heaps of sugar and fat. Though occasional treats won’t hurt, making these a regular snack might have your doctor raising eyebrows at your next checkup.

3. Rancid Walnuts

Rancid Walnuts
© Reddit

Those bitter-tasting walnuts aren’t just unpleasant – they’re potentially harmful! Walnuts contain delicate oils that go rancid quickly when exposed to heat, light, or air.

How can you spot the culprits? Give them a sniff test – if they smell like paint or have a bitter taste, toss them immediately. Rancid nuts not only taste awful but also contain harmful free radicals that can damage your cells.

2. Pre-Shelled Pine Nuts

Pre-Shelled Pine Nuts
© eBay

Mystery mouth syndrome, anyone? Some pre-shelled pine nuts (especially imported varieties) can cause “pine mouth” – a bizarre condition where everything tastes metallic or bitter for days or even weeks! Scientists haven’t fully cracked this nutty phenomenon yet.

Though not dangerous, imagine drinking your morning coffee and tasting pennies instead! For safer snacking, choose domestic pine nuts or keep them in the freezer to maintain freshness.

1. Artificially Flavored Pistachios

Artificially Flavored Pistachios
© The Kitchn

Those neon-red pistachios might look festive, but they’re hiding a not-so-pretty secret! Many artificially colored and flavored nuts contain synthetic dyes linked to hyperactivity in children and other health concerns.

Why risk it? The vibrant shells often contain Red Dye #40 and other questionable additives. Natural pistachios offer the same nutritional benefits without the chemical cocktail. Your body will thank you for choosing the naked version of these green gems.